Sophie stayed in regular contact with Silveny and Greyfell—which was how she was able to get Silveny help when she went into early labor. The pregnancy turned out to be twins, and only with the help of the trolls—as well as Vika and Stina Heks—were both babies delivered safely. Silveny survived the birth as well, effectively resetting the Timeline to Extinction. But it’s only been a cautious improvement.

Four alicorns are better than one—but the species remains severely vulnerable.

Still, for now, the elves celebrate babies Wynn and Luna.

FOOD AND DRINK

THE ELVES FOLLOW A PLANT-BASED diet, but it isn’t the least bit limiting, because the gnomes cultivate an abundance of unique fruits and vegetables that are both healthy and delicious (even if the colors and textures may appear strange at times). Some gnomish plants taste like meat or various other human delicacies. Others are perfect for baking, which is why the Lost Cities are famous for their desserts (and their candies!).

There’s also a variety of flavored beverages to enjoy in the Lost Cities, but the most essential staple is called Youth (and rumored to be the source of human myths about a mysterious Fountain of Youth, which grants eternal health). Given its unique properties, this cool, slightly sweet water is often used medicinally—but that doesn’t mean it’s not also seen as a refreshing way to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Starkflower stew will never taste as good without Calla—but it’s a perfect way to remember her!

The candy is delicious—but everyone knows the best part about Prattles are the collectible pins inside!

Any flavor anytime—custard bursts are always AMAZING!!

SOPHIE’S FAVORITE FOODS

The secret Mentors’ cafeteria at Foxfire always has butterblasts available—it’s not fair that they don’t share!

Lushberry juice is the perfect blend of sweet and tart!

Mallowmelt is always a good idea—and one gooey slice is never enough!

POPULAR FOOD AND DRINKS IN THE LOST CITIES

BLITZENBERRY MUFFINS

Petite cakes that melt like butter when bitten into, filled with tart berries that fizz and pop on the tongue.

BRATTAILS

Tuber-style plants (shaped a bit like cattails) that are served roasted, and taste like the sausages that humans eat.

BUTTERBLASTS

Round, golden pastries topped with giant sugar crystals. They’re chewy like doughnuts, but taste like hot pancakes filled with a maple-flavored cream.

CINNACREME

A hot, thick beverage that tastes like melted snickerdoodles.

CUSTARD BURSTS

Square puffs that look like marshmallows but are crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They come in tons of flavors, but some of the most popular are chocolate, butterscotch, lushberry, chocolate-cherry, and caramel.

DAWNLINGS

Dark purple fruits grown from special seeds created by Calla. They taste warm, sweet, and tingly, like little slices of sunshine.

FIZZLEBERRY WINE

A bubbly, sweet beverage mulled from fizzleberries. It isn’t technically alcoholic, but its effect is similar, so the elves reserve it for adults.

FLAVORED AIR

A truly unique type of candy that turns breathing into a delicious experience. Flavored air comes in a wide variety of flavors and keeps the air sweet and mouthwatering for several minutes after popping open the can.

FLUFFCREAMS

A delicious flaky pastry filled with a cloud of honey, cinnamon, and butter. Perfect for dessert, a snack, or breakfast—or all of the above!

INDIGOOBERS

A messy, blue, bite-size candy cluster filled with sweet fruity juice that dribbles everywhere when eaten—which is half the fun of the experience.

LUSHBERRY JUICE

By far the most popular beverage in the Lost Cities. Lushberry juice manages to be both perfectly sweet and delightfully tart and tastes amazing with everything.

MALLOWMELT

A gooey cake covered in frosting and butterscotch, that tastes like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies soaked in ice cream.

NOIRSSELS

These silver-wrapped treats look like hard candies, and their dark color and squishy texture is reminiscent of a dead bug. But don’t be fooled—noirssels are so sweet and cinnamon-y and delicious that they can even take away the flavor of unpleasant medicines (which Sophie knows very well!).

PORCAROOT PIE

This surprisingly healthy pie is often served for breakfast. And while its strange purple color may seem unappealing, it tastes like bacon covered in gooey melted cheese.

PRATTLES

These chewy, peanut-butter-and-caramel-flavored candies are filled with cream and taste delicious. But everyone would buy them even if they were gross, because every box of Prattles contains an awesome collectible pin based on the protected species. Everyone collects and trades Prattles pins.

PUDDING PUFFS

Fudgey squares that taste like a mix of warm apple pie and melted vanilla ice cream.

RIPPLEFLUFFS

Buttery, fudgey desserts that are part cupcake, part brownie, with a candy surprise sunken into the center. They can be made in many flavors, but two of the most popular are butter toffee and chocolate mint.

RIPPLENUTS

These round yellow nuts have shells that turn orange as they roast, and their centers melt into a warm goo that tastes like butter, vanilla, and honey—with a dash of cinnamon and a hint of caramel.

STARKFLOWER STEW

A rich, earthy stew made with a variety of gnomish spices, herbs, and vegetables—but the secret ingredient is the starkflower, which adds a dark, smoky flavor. Calla invented the recipe and kept it secret for millennia. But she decided to share it with Sophie—and even though Sophie’s stew never tastes quite the same, she makes it often to remember her friend.

SUGARKNOTS

Flaky, croissant-like pastries filled with a rich brown-sugar custard.

THREADLEENS

A rare, spicy, tangy fruit that’s eaten by pulling off the juicy pink strings.

UMBER LEAVES

Wide black leaves best served dried and cut into strips. Their chickenlike flavor makes them both a delicious meal—and an excellent way to train animals to become vegetarians.

GNOMISH PLANTS

ELVES DO THEIR BEST TO care for nature—but they cannot cultivate gnomish plants on their own. (The Neverseen try, and the result is not delicious, according to Keefe Sencen.) So the elves are very grateful that the gnomes choose to remain in the Lost Cities (particularly after the hard truths that were uncovered during the gnomish plague), and elves would never present themselves as authorities on plant life. The subject should always be covered by a gnome—even the agriculture session at Foxfire has gnomish Mentors. As a result, Flori—one of the gnomes who resides at Havenfield (and Sophie Foster’s gnomish bodyguard)—will cover this lesson.

FLORA

Only gnomes can understand the language of nature (though the moonlark comes close!). Still, it's vital that everyone understand the potential inside each growing thing. They can heal or harm or nourish or provide beauty or freshen the air or enrich the soil. And sometimes, in the right hands, they can become something incredible. —Flori